Guide helps prepare for natural hazards

Published: Sunday, May 12, 2013 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 11:18 a.m.

Hurricane season is just around the corner. It runs from June 1 through Nov. 30th, according to the National Hurricane Center’s website, www.nhc.noaa.gov.

And now is a good time to begin preparing to protect property and loved ones. A great way to get a jump-start on this is with a new Louisiana Sea Grant publication, “Louisiana Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards.”

This handbook helps explain how the forces of nature, including high winds, heavy rain and storm surge, affect structures. It also presents ways to help strengthen homes against these forces and to minimize the effects of storms on property and people.

The handbook is available free from coastal LSU AgCenter offices and by download at www.lsu.edu/sglegal/pubs/handbook.htm. It can also be ordered for $5 — to cover postage and handling — by emailing Jessica Schexnayder at jsche15@lsu.edu.

General topics covered in the guide include an overview of natural hazards for homeowners, protecting yourself and your family, protecting your property, and protecting your property with insurance.

“Mississippi and Alabama have already completed the books,” Daigle said. “Louisiana is the third state of the five Gulf Coast states to complete a handbook. The goal of the project is to help build a more resilient coast by getting important information into the hands of homeowners along Louisiana’s coast.”

Custom tailored for Louisiana homeowners, this handbook is a must for helping you get ready for natural hazards and should be part of everyone’s “Grab-And-Go Box” … especially if you don’t know what a grab-and-go box is.

Alan Matherne is the LSU AgCenter’s area fisheries and coastal issues agent for Terrebonne, Lafourche

and Assumption parishes. He can be reached at 873-6495 or amatherne@agcenter.lsu.edu. You can read his articles and blogs at bayoulog.com.

<p>Hurricane season is just around the corner. It runs from June 1 through Nov. 30th, according to the National Hurricane Center's website, www.nhc.noaa.gov. </p><p>And now is a good time to begin preparing to protect property and loved ones. A great way to get a jump-start on this is with a new Louisiana Sea Grant publication, “Louisiana Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards.”</p><p>This handbook helps explain how the forces of nature, including high winds, heavy rain and storm surge, affect structures. It also presents ways to help strengthen homes against these forces and to minimize the effects of storms on property and people.</p><p>“There are tips and information specific to Louisiana residents for preparing evacuation plans and kits, construction practices, retrofitting, shutter styles, insurance information and emergency contact numbers,” said Melissa Daigle, resiliency specialist with Louisiana Sea Grant. “Basically everything a homeowner needs to know in coastal Louisiana to be best prepared for coastal hazards.”</p><p>The handbook is available free from coastal LSU AgCenter offices and by download at www.lsu.edu/sglegal/pubs/handbook.htm. It can also be ordered for $5 — to cover postage and handling — by emailing Jessica Schexnayder at jsche15@lsu.edu.</p><p>General topics covered in the guide include an overview of natural hazards for homeowners, protecting yourself and your family, protecting your property, and protecting your property with insurance.</p><p>“Mississippi and Alabama have already completed the books,” Daigle said. “Louisiana is the third state of the five Gulf Coast states to complete a handbook. The goal of the project is to help build a more resilient coast by getting important information into the hands of homeowners along Louisiana's coast.” </p><p>Custom tailored for Louisiana homeowners, this handbook is a must for helping you get ready for natural hazards and should be part of everyone's “Grab-And-Go Box” … especially if you don't know what a grab-and-go box is.</p><p>Alan Matherne is the LSU AgCenter's area fisheries and coastal issues agent for Terrebonne, Lafourche </p><p>and Assumption parishes. He can be reached at 873-6495 or amatherne@agcenter.lsu.edu. You can read his articles and blogs at bayoulog.com.</p>